Congressional Record, Volume 151 Issue 167 (Wednesday, December 21, 2005)

[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 21, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14405-S14407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF
2005--CONFERENCE REPORT

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of the conference report to
accompany S. 1281, the NASA authorization bill.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The legislative clerk read as follows:

The Committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the
two Houses on the amendment of the House to the bill (S.
1281), to authorize appropriations for the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration for science,
aeronautics, exploration, exploration capabilities, and the
Inspector General, and for other purposes, for fiscal years
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, having met, have agreed
that the Senate recede from its disagreement to the amendment
of the House and agree to the same with an amendment.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate will proceed to the consideration
of the conference report.
(The conference report is printed in the House Proceedings of the
Record of December 18, 2005.)
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, last Friday, when I spoke to my
colleagues about the NASA authorization bill, the Senate, in the press
of other business at the end of the session, was unable to take up the
conference report on S. 1281, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2005. Since then, the House of
Representatives has adopted the report under suspension of the rules,
demonstrating wide support for the compromise bill. I am very pleased
that the Senate is now poised to approve the conference report as well.
I want to thank my ranking member on the Science and Space
Subcommittee, Senator Nelson of Florida, for all his help. Chairman
Stevens and Senator Inouye were active participants throughout this
process, and I certainly appreciate their efforts. Senator Lott was a
key member of the Senate team that has brought us to this point.
My subcommittee staff, Jeff Bingham and Tom Cremins, and Senator
Nelson's staff, Jean Toal Eisen and Chan Lieu, work so well together
and have done so much to bring us to this point, and I want to say
thank you to them.
When President Bush announced a new Vision for Space Exploration in
January of 2004, he was not simply describing a new mission for NASA;
he was describing a pathway to a future for the next generation. The
legislation embodied in this conference report represents a statement
by the Congress that the Vision for Space Exploration is the right
vision for America in the new age of space. At the same time, the bill
provides guidance to help NASA do its part in leading the way along
this new path to the future by building effectively on lessons learned
and by efficiently using its resources, especially the talent and
expertise of its workforce.
S. 1281, as modified by the conference report, provides authorization
for NASA funding at $17.9 billion in fiscal year 2007 and $18.7 billion
in fiscal year 2008. The conferees believe these levels of funding will
ensure the successful return to flight of the space shuttle and the
completion of the international space station, as well as continuing
the important work in exploration, science, aeronautics and education.
These funding levels also take into account the recently identified
shortfall between what the administration had been projecting for
shuttle flights and the number of flights needed to complete the
international space station, meet our international commitments, and
provide an important research capability in space.
I am especially pleased that the conference report provides the
designation of the U.S. portion of the space station as national
laboratory. This is an important and significant part of the bill.
First, it demonstrates that the Congress understands the great value
and potential represented by the research that can be done aboard the
space station. It underscores the need to ensure that the laboratory is
as capable, efficient and well equipped as we can make it. Second, it
provides a framework for bringing additional, non-NASA resources to
bear in supporting research aboard the space station. This will enable
NASA to focus its resources on research needed to support the Vision
for Exploration, while continuing to provide space station research
opportunities in the broader areas of life sciences and fundamental
sciences.

In my previous statement, I mentioned briefly a perfect example of
the kind of fundamental research that the space station enables, which
was described in a recent hearing before the Commerce Committee. Dr.
Sam Ting, of MIT, discussed the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, scheduled
to be attached to the space station. This device takes advantage of the
unique space environment to measure--and help understand--the
characteristics of matter in the universe. The results of this
experiment could revolutionize our knowledge about the interactions of
matter and potentially lead, for example, to the development of new,
and virtually unlimited, energy sources.
As we move forward with the Vision for Space Exploration, we will
need new vehicles and launch capabilities. NASA has made the decision
to base those new vehicles on much of the existing capabilities and
designs of the space shuttle program. This legislation ratifies that
decision and provides the policy foundation to ensure its successful
implementation. The evolution of our launch vehicles to a new
generation requires that we be especially careful not to undermine our
existing capabilities for human space flight. The legislation ensures a
smooth transition between the shuttle and the new crew exploration
vehicles by providing adequate resources to continue shuttle flights
and accelerate CEV development so as to minimize any gap between the
two systems. In addition, the legislation specifically directs NASA to
make the maximum possible utilization of the personnel, assets, and
capabilities of the space shuttle program in developing the next
generation of crew and cargo vehicles. The new CEV will be designed
with the flexibility to carry out a variety of missions. It will
specifically be designed to provide access to the space station, and
thus fulfills the role of a crew rescue vehicle, CRV, if needed, to
ensure the safety of our crews aboard the international space station.
In order to further facilitate the evolution of current human space
flight systems into those needed for the Vision for Exploration, the
bill has provided for the merging of the human space fight activities
into a single account. This is intended to provide the closest possible
interaction between these activities, in those areas where they can be
mutually supportive. At the same time, the legislation contains
language to ensure that both the exploration activities and the human
space flight, or space operations activities, retain sufficient
resources to fulfill their core objectives.
Another important and historical NASA research activity is
aeronautical research, a fundamental part of NASA's activities since
its inception. All of us recognize that the continued health of the
Nation's aerospace industry in a very competitive global marketplace
makes it essential that we have solid aeronautical research
capabilities. This legislation directs the development of a national
policy to guide the Nation's aeronautical research--including that
conducted by NASA. This policy will enable us to make informed
decisions about the future directions for aeronautics research and the
necessary resources to support them.

[[Page S14406]]

One of the more exciting new developments in space exploration is the
expanded level of commercial interest in supporting and expanding space
exploration. This legislation encourages those developments. It
provides expanded authority for competitive prizes to promote
commercial developments, and it encourages the use of commercial
services and capabilities in servicing the space station, to cite just
two examples. This is clearly an important new development in space
exploration which the bill fully endorses.
Finally, let me say something about the broad range of science
activities for which NASA has always been known. This conference
agreement expresses very clearly the need for maintaining a balanced
science portfolio throughout all NASA programs and provides the funding
authority necessary to ensure the space sciences, earth sciences, and
education activities remain vigorous parts of NASA's mission.
Mr. President, this legislation provides a comprehensive, forward-
looking and responsible approach to the transition of our Nation's
space exploration programs into a new era of discovery. I believe that,
together with our colleagues in the House, we have crafted a
congressional consensus that will help ensure this Nation's leadership
in space exploration and provide benefits beyond measure and beyond
imagination to this Nation and the world.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I urge passage by unanimous consent of the
2005 NASA Authorization Act and managers' package that has been agreed
to by conferees from the House and Senate.
I express my thanks for the work that my fellow conferees, the
committees, subcommittees, and our staffs have done on this bill. I am
confident that it will help Administrator Griffin to lead NASA to
accomplish its many missions.
America is a nation of explorers. NASA explores the frontiers of
aviation by atmospheric flight; the frontiers of space by going where
others have never been; and the frontiers of science by conducting
scientific endeavors that broaden our understanding of life, our home
planet, and the heavens. NASA has not been authorized by Congress for
some time. In fact, the last two times NASA was authorized was 1993 and
2000.
This is the first authorization of NASA in 6 years. NASA must be held
accountable to the Congress through the oversight of the agency. With
an authorization bill passed only once every 5 to 7 years, the role has
defaulted to the Appropriations Committee, which has many other items
on its plate. Now with this NASA authorization legislation, hopefully
there will be a healthier and more meaningful communication between the
agency and the Congress.
The NASA Authorization Act of 2005 will help the Congress to do a
better job of performing oversight of NASA. The act is a 3-year bill,
authorizing NASA from 2006 through 2008.
Because appropriators have already funded NASA for fiscal year 2006
the authorizing conferees receded to the appropriations bill for that
fiscal year. The bill authorizes $17.932 billion for fiscal year 2007
and $18.686 billion for fiscal year 2008, and provides more funding
than the President's budget projections.
Like many of our colleagues, Senator Hutchison and I believe that
recent NASA budget requests have been below the levels required for the
agency to perform its various missions effectively. That was made
apparent recently when Administrator Griffin testified at a committee
hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives, that the space
shuttle program will have a $3 billion plus shortfall over the next 5
years. Dr. Griffin's concerns have been echoed by a letter recently
provided by several Members of the House to the White House calling for
the space shuttle program to be fully funded.
This legislation authorizes NASA to return humans to the Moon, to
explore it, and to maintain a human presence on the Moon. Consistent
with the President's vision, it also requires using what we learn and
develop on the Moon as a stepping-stone to future exploration of Mars.
To carry out these missions, this act requires NASA to develop an
implementation plan for the transition from shuttle to crew exploration
vehicle, CEV. The plan will help NASA to make a smooth transition from
retirement of the space shuttle orbiters to the replacement
spacecraft systems. The implementation plan will help make sure that we
can keep the skills and the focus that are needed to assure that each
space shuttle flight is safe through retirement of the orbiters, and to
retain those personnel needed for the CEV and heavy lift cargo
spacecraft.

The bill should be helpful for reducing if not eliminating a gap in
America's ability to put humans in Earth orbit. The act also directs
NASA to plan for and consider a Hubble servicing mission after the
second space shuttle return to flight mission has been completed.
This NASA authorization bill calls for utilization of the
international space station for basic science as well as exploration
science. It is important that we reap the benefits of our multibillion
dollar investment in the space station. This act ensures that NASA will
maintain a focus on the importance of basic science.
This legislation directs the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel to
monitor and measure NASA's improvements to their safety culture,
including employees' fear of reprisals for voicing concerns about
safety. The bill encourages NASA to more effectively utilize lessons
learned and best practices, and to implement cost controls that are
more effective for making better use of our taxpayers' money.
This authorization bill addresses NASA aeronautics and America's pre-
eminence in aviation, calling for the President of the United States to
pursue a national policy for aeronautics. The Europeans have stated
their intent to dominate the airplane market by 2020. It is not in our
national interest to let that occur.
The bill includes a limitation on reprogramming funds from space
operations, includes the space shuttle and international space station,
to exploration systems, and vice versa. This limitation will ensure
that no more than 10 percent of shuttle and station funds can be
transferred into the exploration systems program to be used for a
shortfall in an exploration-related development program. However, it
will not limit the exploration systems and space shuttle programs from
utilizing the same personnel, equipment, and contract vehicles to
continue to safely operate the shuttle while developing the shuttle-
derived crew exploration vehicle.
This act gives America the opportunity for implementing the vision
for space exploration; renewing our commitment to U.S. civil aviation
and NASA aeronautics research; conducting important science activities
at NASA; and assuring that America has continuous human access to
space.
By passing this legislation, we will continue to strengthen our
economy and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and
explorers.
Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I wish to thank Senators Hutchison,
Nelson, and Stevens, for their leadership in bringing together the
different bills from the Senate and the House. The final product is the
result of hard work and compromise. It provides the National
Aeronantics and Space Administration, NASA, and the country clear
congressional direction on how to proceed with human space exploration,
and it emphasizes NASA's invaluable work in science and education.
Human space exploration is a key component of this bill. I am
confident that space discovery will continue to excite young minds and,
hopefully, inspire them to pursue an education in math and science. The
skills and talents they develop will not only help them reach the
stars, they will propel American innovation and define our country's
future.
At the same time, we must not overlook safety. I applaud Senator
Nelson and the other conferees for keeping safety a top priority in
this legislation.
In addition, I want to express my appreciation for the conferees'
willingness to accommodate my efforts to promote the design and
development of new science facilities, such as telescopes through the
National Science Foundation, as well as NASA.
NASA plays a strong role in astronomy from the Hubble Telescope to
the Keck Outrigger Project in Hawaii. I am

[[Page S14407]]

pleased to see that the bill affirms NASA's commitment to astronomy by
ensuring that the Hubble will be serviced. It is my hope that Section
616 will also help NASA work with institutions, such as the Mauna Kea
Astronomy Education Center, to make the work of world-class scientists
accessible to their neighbors and children.
Finally, I would like to thank Jeff Bingham, Tom Cremins, Jean Toal
Eisen and Chan Lieu of the Commerce Committee staff, and Mike Dodson, a
fellow in Senator Bill Nelson's office, for their hard work on this
important measure. I understand Mr. Dodson will be leaving at the end
of the year. We will miss his counsel and expertise.
I urge the swift adoption of the conference report.
Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, my fellow Senators, I am
pleased to join Senators Hutchison, Stevens, Inouye, and Lott today in
presenting the 2005 NASA Authorization Act and managers' package that
has been agreed to by conferees from the House and Senate.
I express my thanks for the work that my fellow conferees, the
committees, subcommittees, and our staffs have done on this bill. I am
confident that it will help Administrator Griffin to lead NASA to
accomplish its many missions.
America is a nation of explorers. NASA explores the frontiers of
aviation by atmospheric flight, the frontiers of space by going where
others have never been; and the frontiers of science by conducting
scientific endeavors that broaden our understanding of life, our home
planet, and the heavens. NASA has not been authorized by Congress for
some time. In fact, the last two times NASA was authorized was 1993 and
2000.
Congress needs to authorize NASA more often. When NASA is authorized
infrequently, then oversight may become lax. The lack of an
authorization bill leaves the authorizing function to the
Appropriators--and they don't have time and it's not their job. In
fact, the lack of oversight provided by authorizers over the last
several years may have contributed to the loss of the Space Shuttle
Columbia.
The NASA Authorization Act of 2005 will help the Congress to do a
better job of performing oversight of NASA. The act is a 3-year bill,
authorizing NASA from 2006 through 2008. It authorizes NASA
appropriations for fiscal year 2007 and 2008.
Because appropriators have already funded NASA for fiscal year 2006
the authorizing conferees receded to the appropriations bill for that
fiscal year. The bill authorizes $17.932 billion for fiscal year 2007
and $18.686 billion for fiscal year 2008, and provides more funding
than the President's budget projections.
Like many of our colleagues, Senator Hutchison and I believe that
recent NASA budget requests have been below the levels required for the
agency to perform its various missions effectively. That was made
apparent recently when Administrator Griffin testified at a committee
hearing before the House of Representatives, that the Space Shuttle
program will have a $3 billion plus shortfall over the next 5 years.
Dr. Griffin's concerns have been echoed by a letter recently provided
by several Members of the House to the White House calling for the
space shuttle program to be fully funded.
This legislation authorizes NASA to return humans to the Moon, to
explore it, and to maintain a human presence on the Moon. Consistent
with the President's vision, it also requires using what we learn and
develop on the Moon as a stepping-stone to future exploration of Mars.
To carry out these missions, this act requires NASA to develop an
implementation plan for the transition from shuttle to crew exploration
vehicle, CEV. The plan will help NASA to make a smooth transition from
retirement of the space shuttle orbiters to the replacement spacecraft
systems. The implementation plan will help make sure that we can keep
the skills and the focus that are needed to assure that each Space
Shuttle flight is safe through retirement of the orbiters, and to
retain those personnel needed for the CEV and heavy lift cargo
spacecraft.
The bill should be helpful for reducing if not eliminating a gap in
America's ability to put humans in Earth orbit. The act also directs
NASA to plan for and consider a Hubble servicing mission after the
second space shuttle return to flight mission has been completed.
This NASA authorization bill calls for utilization of the
international space station for basic science as well as exploration
science. It is important that we reap the benefits of our multibillion
dollar investment in the space station. This act ensures that NASA will
maintain a focus on the importance of basic science.
This legislation directs the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel to
monitor and measure NASA's improvements to their safety culture,
including employees' fear of reprisals for voicing concerns about
safety. The bill encourages NASA to more effectively utilize lessons
learned and best practices, and to implement cost controls that are
more effective for making better use of our taxpayers' money.
This authorization bill addresses NASA aeronautics and America's pre-
eminence in aviation, calling for the President of the United States to
pursue a national policy for aeronautics. The Europeans have stated
their intent to dominate the airplane market by 2020. It is not in our
national interest to let that occur.
The bill includes a limitation on reprogramming funds from space
operations--(includes the space shuttle and international space
station)--to exploration systems, and vice versa. This limitation will
ensure that no more than 10 percent of shuttle and station funds can be
transferred into the exploration systems program to be used for a
shortfall in an exploration-related development program. However, it
will not limit the exploration systems and space shuttle programs from
utilizing the same personnel, equipment, and contract vehicles to
continue to safely fly the shuttle while developing the shuttle-derived
crew exploration vehicle.
This act gives America the opportunity for implementing the Vision
for Space Exploration; renewing our commitment to U.S. civil aviation
and NASA aeronautics research; conducting important science activities
at NASA; and assuring that America has continuous human access to
space.
By passing this legislation, we will continue to strengthen our
economy and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and
explorers.
Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the conference
report be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the
table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The conference report was agreed to.
Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this is the NASA authorization bill.
I congratulate Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison for this particular piece
of legislation, because as we look to the future, science and the
technology, and the importance and significance of this legislation
stands out.
A few minutes ago, I was talking about SMART grants--these math,
education, science, and engineering grants which are being given to
juniors and seniors in college. This marries with that beautifully in
terms of making sure that we have a strong technology base in terms of
jobs and competitiveness.
I congratulate our distinguished colleague from Texas, Senator
Hutchison, for her leadership on this bill.

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